The Must-Have

While 2020 to the world will always be infamously known as the year of COVID-19, we can take comfort (however slight) in the fact that Rolex did their part to spread some positivity, at the very least to passionate watch enthusiasts around the world. We’re talking about the newest collection of Oyster Perpetuals in an array of colours and sizes - their vivid hues like a refreshing spritz of feel-good energy and playful fun, desperately needed after what is universally recognized as a horrible year.

The Oyster Perpetual, Rolex’s bread and butter, now comes in 5 new colourful lacquer dials - yellow, turquoise, candy pink, green and coral red. All five types come with Oyster bracelets and Chromalight displays, ensuring that you get the brightness of the colours in the day and the brightness of blue lume at night too.

A common misconception is that these new Oyster Perpetual dials are Stella dials – this name specifically applies to the brightly colored dials found on vintage Day-Date and Datejust watches back in the 1970s. It is easy to understand the confusion - some of the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual dial colors are nearly spot-on matches with their vintage Stella counterparts. One plus point for sure - these new brightly colored dials are offered only on Rolex’s most affordable and accessible collection of timepieces.

We could not wait to wear them all, so we did and shared our thoughts:

The “Rolex Green” dial is a classic stunner - the natural choice for hardline Rolex enthusiasts with green being the brand’s hallmark colour. One might agree that it is a relatively safer colour to wear compared to the considerably more daring hues in the new collection, so you might get more mileage out of this one as an easy match to your outfits. On the other hand, if you are looking for a stand-out piece for more-than-casual occasions, this one is probably not the best one for you.

There is something so regal yet youthful about this Tiffany blue shade. Blue dial watches are typically the go-to colour due to its versatility, but the freshness of the turquoise lacquered finishing matched with the slight sheen from the steel bracelet makes this a no-brainer for those who are leaning towards a sprightly yet sophisticated look. Points for a youthful spring to your wrist and the reason for many turned heads.

‘Be shocking, be daring. Be bold, be passionate.’ - There’s not a more appropriate quote for Rolex’s red rendition of the Oyster Perpetual. We love the deep contrast between the stainless steel and the explosively attractive reddish-orange hue. Probably the most audacious colour of the collection, it is actually more orange than it is red, but it doesn’t stop us from wanting it for ourselves. It takes a strong and confident character to wear and pull off this wrist candy, and we’re all for it.

Is anyone else getting Ferrari yellow vibes here? While yellow dials are not all that uncommon with Rolex - in fact this strongly resembles the yellow Stella dials of the ’70s - this was one of the stand-out pieces for us and it is not difficult to see why. The yellow is a perfect lighthearted piece to light up any outfit, encapsulating the relaxed and cheery mood we often experience on a breezy summer’s day.

Real men wear pink very much holds true for this sassy yet classy number. This candy pink piece is a fashion statement in itself and truly a breath of fresh air. We love how the soft playful pink lacquer plays both the role of contrast and complement to the otherwise hardier stainless steel. While this pastel variant remains exclusive to the 36mm dimension, the distinctive look makes it all the more desirable for men and women alike.

At the end of the day, exciting colours aside, the Oyster Perpetual at its very core is a simple time only watch with no date display. As such, one often perceives the Oyster Perpetual as our basic entry-level watch. Devil’s advocates might also lament the fact that the OP is made with stainless steel, a ‘lesser’ material compared to precious metals.Truth be told, we don’t often see the OP as what it should actually be perceived: Rolex’s quintessential technology and design encased in one timepiece. While it does not come in special bezels or diving functionalities, it is the cornerstone of the Rolex offering - perfect for fuss-free individuals looking for substance over form.

We are already seeing this perception start to shift with the dizzying collection of lacquer dials - perhaps this is Rolex’s way of affirmation that they can rule the world of the classic and the modern as we start to change our minds by looking at these dials designed to suit any wrist and personality.

Gotta catch them all! Which is your favourite one?